title: Pilot statewide study of pediatric emergency department alignment with national guidelines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Emergency Nursing Association have developed consensus guidelines for pediatric emergency department policies, procedures, supplies, and equipment. Kentucky received funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration through the Emergency Medical Services for Children program to pilot test the guidelines with the state's hospitals. In addition to providing baseline data regarding institutional alignment with the guidelines, the survey supported development of grant funding to procure missing items.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey administration was undertaken by staff and members of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services Emergency Medical Services for Children work group and faculty and staff of the University of Kentucky College of Public Health and the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Responses were solicited primarily online with repeated reminders and offers of assistance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy respondents completed the survey section on supplies and equipment either online or by fax. Results identified items unavailable at 20% or more of responding facilities, primarily the smallest sizes of equipment. The survey section addressing policy and procedure received only 16 responses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Kentucky facilities were reasonably well equipped by national standards, but rural facilities and small hospitals did not stock the smallest equipment sizes because of low reported volume of pediatric emergency department cases. Thus, a centralized procurement process that gives them access to an adequate range of pediatric supplies and equipment would support capacity building for the care of children across the entire state. Grant proposals were received from 28 facilities in the first 3 months of funding availability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Management, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA. Julia.costich@uky.edu
authors.forename: Julia F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Costich
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Fallat
authors.forename: C Morgan
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Scaggs
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bartlett
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004209:Disposable Equipment / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution; D004389:Durable Medical Equipment / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004867:Equipment Design; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005380:Financing, Government; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006780:Hospitals, Rural / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic